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MA096 |
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INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA SYLLABUS
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MA096 |
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Guidelines and Rules
Text: ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA: Discovery and Visualization by Hubbard and Robinson
Instructor: Ann Mayes
Email: amayes@eicc.edu
MCC phone numbers: 288-6052 Toll free: 1-800-351-4669
Office Hours: M-F 8:30-9:20,2:00-5:00 (unless in meetings)
L112 in Loper Hall
Catalog Description: A one-semester course for students with a background in Elementary Algebra. Topics covered include a review of fundamental concepts, linear equations and inequalities in one variable, polynomials and factoring, rational expressions, linear equations and inequalities in two variables, rational exponents and radicals, quadratic equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations and inequalities, introduction to relations and functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and an introduction to sequences and series. Scientific calculator required, graphing calculator highly recommended.
General Course Goals: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Demonstrate mastery of course content and techniques necessary for further study in mathematics. 2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of problem solving approaches used to investigate and understand mathematical concepts. 3. Recognize and place in algebraic notation, application problems within mathematics. 4. Read, write, and orally express mathematical ideas utilizing mathematical notation. 5. Represent and solve situations that involve variable quantities using expressions, equations, and inequalities. 6. Appreciate both the intrinsic and extrinsic nature of mathematics.
Homework and testing: Tentative dates for sections to be covered will be given on a course calendar. Homework assignments or quizzes will be given each class period. If an assignment/quiz is not completed, only partial credit will be awarded if received within a reasonable time allowance. Quizzes may not be made up. Early assignments will be accepted if a student knows that (s)he will be gone. Exceptional cases must be discussed individually with the instructor. The homework assignment for each section will vary; therefore, the student is responsible for attaining a list of the problems if (s)he misses a class session. Each homework assignment should be done on lined paper. Please, no torn edges. The following information should be included: name, hour when the class meets, chapter number, and all scratch work. Answers should be identified by circling, hi-liting, or marking with any other method to clearly relay the answer. Homework/quizzes will account for one-fifth (1/5) of the final grade.
Tentative test dates are indicated on the calendar. If a student misses a test day, (s)he should schedule a make up test with the instructor to be taken no later than ONE week after the original test date. NO RETAKES WILL BE ALLOWED. One hour maximum will be allowed per test, and make ups are done in the Skills Center in Loper Hall. Appointments with the Skills Center staff are also required and must be made ahead of time.
Grading Scale: The chapter tests will be averaged for three-fifths (3/5) of the final grade (one test score, the lowest, will be dropped when figuring the average of the test scores), the homework/quizzes will be averaged for one-fifth (1/5) of the final grade, and the final exam will account for one-fifth (1/5) of the final grade. A final grade is earned only after all homework is turned in, all chapter tests are taken and the final exam is completed. It is based on a straight percentage scale with plus/minus in effect. Class attendance and participation will be considered for students whose final average is on the borderline between two grades.
Class time will be used for short lectures, group questions and assignments, quizzes, discussion of homework assignments, and testing. prompt and regular attendance of all students is expected. A calendar which spaces out the material covered in the algebra class will be given with this guidelines handout. If a student will not be in class for a day, it is his/her responsibility to cover the required material for that missed period or to find out from any other student in the class what material was covered. There are also video tapes that match this text material for supplemental work if a student so desires. A Student Solutions Manual is available through the Skills Center to check homework assignments when necessary. To use this manual, you must present your completed homework to the Skills Center Personnel to receive the manual to check your work. Tutoring free of charge to the student is available when requested through the Skills Center. Simply ask the instructor for assistance in getting extra materials. Also, anyone asking for special learning or physical accommodations must go through the Academic Achievement Coordinator, Kathy Trosen. Her office is located in the Student Services Building and her office hours are from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Scholastic Honesty: Personal honor is everyone's responsibility. We will expect it of each other. When you submit individual assignments, you are pledging that the work is your own. Please refer to the Student Handbook "Scholastic Dishonesty" for further information on this topic.
Class Needs: Text, scientific calculator (graphing calculator highly recommended), hi-liter, ruler, lined paper, two bookmarks, graph paper, notebook for class notes.
